$5.3 million highway repair project on SR 503 in Clark and Cowlitz Counties begins June 8

Lane closures expected through the summer

COUGAR – A smoother ride is on the way for travelers who use State Route 503 and the SR 503 Spur to access Fargher Lake, Amboy, Chelatchie, Yale, Cougar, and Ape Cave.

Beginning Friday, June 8, contractor crews from Granite Construction will grind down the old damaged asphalt and resurface nearly 26 miles of highway. Approximately 18 miles of SR 503 will be repaved between Northeast Rock Creek Road, south of Fargher Lake, and the SR 503 Spur near Cougar. Nearly eight miles of the SR 503 Spur from Cougar to Beaver Bay Park near the Skamania County line will be resurfaced with oil-coated rock to chip seal the road.

“Harsh winter weather and more people using the highway have taken a toll on these stretches of roadway,” said WSDOT project engineer Lori Figone. “We appreciate travelers’ patience this summer, while crews work to repair cracks and potholes, providing new life to the roadway for years to come.”

Construction details

Crews are currently scheduled to work daily from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., requiring daytime lane closures on SR 503 from Northeast Rock Creek Road to Cougar.

Both daytime and nighttime lane closures will be required for chip seal work on SR 503 and the SR 503 Spur, from approximately 1.5 miles south of the SR 503 Spur near Cougar east to Beaver Bay Park.

Travelers will follow a pilot car through the SR 503 Spur chip seal work zone at all hours to maintain a safe speed and prevent flying rock.

Lane closures will not occur on the SR 503 Spur on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays between SR 503 and the Skamania County line.

Lane closures will not occur on either SR 503 or the SR 503 Spur Monday, July 2, through Friday, July 6 in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.

Crews will close the Yale Bridge on two different days this summer for paving work near the bridge. Closures will only occur during daytime hours on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday on dates to be determined.

Travelers should expect delays of up to 20 minutes. The work is weather dependent and could be rescheduled due to rain.

The project is scheduled for completion in October 2018.

Know before you go

Travelers can get real-time traveler information from the WSDOT mobile app or by visiting the Southwest Region travel advisory page.